Das Wort kam schon 1870/71 im "The Journal of Mental Science" (Seite 141) vor:
conspiracy theoryDie CIA hat 1967 (Die Verschwörungstheorien im JFK-Fall nahmen zu) ein internes Memo verfasst, wie man mit "conspiracy theorists" umgeht und dadurch erst den Begriff so richtig negativ gefärbt.
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2. This trend of opinion is a matter of concern to the U.S. government, including our organization.
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The aim of this dispatch is to provide material countering and discrediting the claims of the conspiracy theorists, so as to inhibit the circulation of such claims in other countries. Background information is supplied in a classified section and in a number of unclassified attachments.
3. Action. We do not recommend that discussion of the [conspiracy] question be initiated where it is not already taking place. Where discussion is active addresses are requested:
a. To discuss the publicity problem with and friendly elite contacts (especially politicians and editors) , pointing out that the [official investigation of the relevant event] made as thorough an investigation as humanly possible, that the charges of the critics are without serious foundation, and that further speculative discussion only plays into the hands of the opposition. Point out also that parts of the conspiracy talk appear to be deliberately generated by … propagandists. Urge them to use their influence to discourage unfounded and irresponsible speculation.
b. To employ propaganda assets to and refute the attacks of the critics. Book reviews and feature articles are particularly appropriate for this purpose. The unclassified attachments to this guidance should provide useful background material for passing to assets. Our ploy should point out, as applicable, that the critics are (I) wedded to theories adopted before the evidence was in, (II) politically interested, (III) financially interested, (IV) hasty and inaccurate in their research, or (V) infatuated with their own theories.
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4. In private to media discussions not directed at any particular writer, or in attacking publications which may be yet forthcoming, the following arguments should be useful:
http://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=53510#relPageId=2&tab=pageDas ganze Memo ist lesenswert, denn die Methoden, um (nicht nur!) Verschwörungstheorien zu diskreditieren haben sich im Wesentlichen nicht geändert.